I am delighted to welcome you here at the German House in NYC to open today’s launch of the REN21 Renewables 2014 Global Status Report.The Permanent Mission of Germany has co-organized several events in the past, both with REN 21 and with the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. It is a perfect continuation of this tradition that the German House is hosting today’s presentation as part of the official program of the First Sustainable Energy for All Forum.

Let me briefly recall the background against which we are meeting in this week’s forum:

- 1.3 billion people have no access to electricity.

- 2.7 billion people still use traditional biomass for everyday tasks such as cooking. In an age when access to energy equals access to development, the lack of access to modern and sustainable energy services impedes progress in almost all areas of human development.

This poses a number of existential “how” questions such as

- How can the energy demand of nine billion people in 2050 be sustainably satisfied?

- How can the energy supply be affordable when the cost of fossil fuel rises?

- How can the future energy supply structure ensure sustainable growth while mitigating the pressure on our climate?

- And finally, most critically: How can we prevent conflicts over increasingly scarce energy sources?

These questions urgently call for answers. As we are preparing the post 2015 development agenda as well as a new and universal climate agreement, 2014 and 2015 are decisive years

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We will not be able to achieve a global sustainable development, to eradicate poverty and to effectively address climate change without providing access to sustainable and financially affordable energy for all. The increased use of renewable energy – in all countries - is a key element in attaining our goals.

Germany is determined to contribute its share. By 2050, at least 80 % of Germany's electricity will be derived from renewable sources of energy. And of course, we will be happy to share our experience and technology with any country in the world. Details we will hear from the panel that follows the presentation.

Having said this, I am glad to see in the key findings of the Renewables 2014 Global Status Report that Germany continues to remain among the top five countries for total installed renewable power capacity.

This Global Report makes worthwhile reading: it contains many more exciting facts figures, and conclusions. The necessary follow-up is an imperative – for all of us!